Duke University has announced the discontinuation of its Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship Program, a move prompted by last year’s Supreme Court decision ending race-based affirmative action in college admissions.
Established in 1979, the scholarship program, named after Duke’s first Black student government president, Reginaldo “Reggie” Howard, provided full tuition, room, and board for select Black undergraduates, along with opportunities for academic and leadership development.
In response to the changing legal landscape, Duke’s Office of University Scholars and Fellows, in collaboration with the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture, will replace the scholarship program with the Reginaldo Howard Leadership Program.
Unlike its predecessor, the new initiative will be open to all undergraduate students, irrespective of race, and will not involve a competitive selection process.
The program aims to honor Reggie Howard’s legacy by fostering Black academic excellence, intellectual community, and leadership on campus.
While current Reggie Scholars will continue to receive funding for their remaining years, no new merit scholarships will be awarded beyond the Class of 2028.
The decision to terminate the scholarship program was communicated to scholars and alumni through a Tuesday meeting and a subsequent email, which cited changes in the legal landscape regarding race-based considerations in higher education.
Despite the disappointment expressed by some Reggie Scholars, many anticipated the changes given the evolving admissions environment and ongoing discussions about diversity programs at Duke.
The decision follows a Title IX complaint filed against Duke’s Alice M. Baldwin Scholars program, alleging “reverse discrimination.”
Scholars expressed frustration over the lack of involvement in the decision-making process but emphasized their commitment to preserving Reggie Howard’s legacy and continuing his impact on Duke’s history.
Looking ahead, Duke’s Office of University Scholars and Fellows has announced a new timeline for its merit scholarship selection process, shifting to a “post-matriculation” model.
Under this model, scholarship recipients will be notified about their awards after enrolling at Duke, rather than before.
Despite the changes, Reggie Scholars remain dedicated to upholding Reggie Howard’s memory and contributions to Duke’s community.
